Vacuum cleaner outer shell fragrance dispenser assembly

ABSTRACT

A fragrance dispenser unit for a vacuum cleaner, including an openable outer case, including a top side a bottom side and an opening, wherein at least one of the top side and the bottom side further includes perforations, a liquid fragrance source removably placeable within an interior of the outer case and a portion of the liquid fragrance source is visible to a user for determining an amount of liquid remaining in the liquid fragrance source via the opening of the outer case.

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/046,348, filed Mar. 11, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fragrance dispenser assembly for a vacuum cleaner outer shell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of fragrances with vacuum cleaners is generally well known in the art. However, a fragrance dispenser assembly for an outer shell for a vacuum cleaner as described in the present invention is not known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fragrance dispenser assembly in the inside bottom of the outer shell. The assembly will house a fragrance dispenser unit having a case enclosing a disposable fragrance blister. The fragrance blister may be designed to last 30 to 60 days before the liquid fragrance is completely released and dispersed from the blister, so that the fragrance expires generally at the same interval as the time between changes of the filter bag. The blister is a transparent polypropylene container with a micro porous membrane bottom. An aluminum release sheet covers the membrane, and just before installation into the vacuum, the user peels off the aluminum sheet to expose the porous membrane to the ambient environment.

The three current known methods of using fragrance producing means for vacuum cleaners are dry fragrance tablets, fragrance powder and micro encapsulated release paper. The method of the present invention uses liquid, which will dispense more potent, more even and longer lasting aromas. Also, by using a fragrance dispenser unit with the assembly, different fragrance sources may be switched out within the case of the unit.

In addition, the top shelf of the assembly simultaneously provides a top shelf for support for the filter bag within the outer shell, so that a more powerful vacuum may be used to bring debris into the filter bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an illustration of an upright vacuum cleaner having the outer shell of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of a bracket of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 a is an exploded perspective view of the fragrance dispenser assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is an exploded perspective view of the fragrance dispenser assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the fragrance dispenser assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fragrance dispenser unit assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a fragrance dispenser assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The assembly 10 is located within an enclosable outer shell 12 for a vacuum cleaner 14 such as an upright vacuum cleaner, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2. The outer shell 12 may be a rigid and closeable bag. Alternatively, the outer shell 12 may be rigid or flexible. The vacuum cleaner 14 may be an upright or canister type vacuum cleaner. Also, the vacuum cleaner 14 may be a by-pass type (clean air) or direct-air type (dirty air) system. In this embodiment, the assembly 10 includes a bracket 16 having a top shelf portion 18 for use with a fragrance dispenser unit.

As shown in FIG. 3 the bracket 16 is attachable to an interior portion 20 of the outer shell 12. The bracket 16 may be securely fitted to the interior portion 20 with or without a physical connection attaching the bracket to the interior portion 20. The outer shell 12 may be generally flexible or rigid. The bracket 16 may be attached by attachment means 18 through an aperture 22 of the outer shell 12. The bracket 16 may be attached to the interior portion 20 of the outer shell 12 through means such as screws, pins, snap-fit connection, glue or other equivalent means known in the art. It may be preferred that the bracket 16 is attached to the framework of the vacuum cleaner 14 for even greater stability.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show exploded views of the fragrance dispenser assembly 10. The bracket 16 supports a top shelf 24. The top shelf 24 may be of sufficient area and rigidity to support a filter bag for the vacuum cleaner 14. As shown, the top shelf 24 is attached to the bracket 16 by attachment means 26 such as a snap-fit connection. However, other attachment means 26 known in the art such as glue or screws are also contemplated. It is also contemplated that the top shelf 24 and the bracket 16 may be formed together in one piece.

The top shelf 24 includes a top surface 28. The top surface 28 may also include perforations 29 for better dispersal of the fragrance to be used. As shown, the top surface 28 includes an indentation 30. The indentation 30 receives a fragrance dispenser unit 32. The indentation 30 as shown is generally round; however, other geometry is also contemplated. The indentation 30 may include a secondary notch 34 to facilitate removal of the fragrance dispenser unit 32.

In addition, the indentation 30 may include an attachment mechanism 36 for securing the fragrance dispenser unit 32 in the indentation 30. The attachment mechanism 36 may releasably secure the fragrance dispenser unit 32 or may secure the fragrance dispenser unit 32 to the indentation permanently. The attachment mechanism 36 may include one or more flanges 38 to overhang the fragrance dispenser unit 32 for greater security of the attachment between the fragrance dispenser unit 32 and the indentation 30.

Although an indentation 30 for receiving the fragrance dispenser unit 32 is shown, other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, a portion of the shelf may have a protrusion or other geometry and a bottom surface of the fragrance dispenser unit 32 may have an indentation or other complementary geometry to the protrusion. Also, the assembly 10 may also be used as a support for a filter bag within the outer shell 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the fragrance dispenser unit 32 in detail. As shown, the fragrance dispenser unit 32 includes an openable outer case 40. The outer case 40 includes a top side 42 and a bottom side 44. The outer case 40 also may have perforations 46. A fragrance source 48 may be placed within the outer case 40. The perforations 46 and the concentration of scent in the fragrance source 48 may be manipulated so that the scent of the fragrance source 48 expires approximately simultaneously with an interval for which a filter bag would be changed for the vacuum cleaner. For example, the scent lasts 30 to 60 days before the liquid fragrance is completely released and dispersed, so that the fragrance expires generally at the same interval as the time between recommended changes of the filter bag for the vacuum cleaner 14.

In another embodiment, the fragrance source 48 is a fragrant liquid in a container, at least a portion of which is see-through (transparent or translucent). The container may be made of a material such as polypropylene or an equivalent. The container may include a microporous membrane bottom, where a release sheet covers the membrane. Before installation of the fragrance dispenser unit in the outer shell, a user may peel the release sheet to expose the porous membrane to the environment. By using a liquid fragrance source, the invention provides more variety of fragrances and more potent, more even and longer-lasting fragrances than have been known in the prior art.

The transparency or translucency of the container, or blister, allows a user to determine the level of liquid in the container without having to open the outer case. The other known technologies for providing fragrance within a vacuum cleaner, such as tablets, powder, patches or microencapsulated paper, do not provide the visual gauge for determining fragrance level that is provided in this invention. In addition, an aluminum release sheet covers the membrane, and just before installation into the vacuum, the user peels off the aluminum sheet to expose the porous membrane to the ambient environment.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A fragrance dispenser unit for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: an openable outer case, including a top side a bottom side and an opening, wherein at least one of the top side and the bottom side further includes perforations, a liquid fragrance source removably placeable within an interior of the outer case; and a portion of the liquid fragrance source is visible to a user for determining an amount of liquid remaining in the liquid fragrance source via the opening of the outer case.
 2. The fragrance dispenser unit of claim 1, wherein the liquid fragrance source comprises a scent concentration manipulated so that the scent expires approximately simultaneously after a time interval for which a filter bag is replaced for the vacuum cleaner.
 3. The fragrance dispenser unit of claim 1, wherein the portion of the liquid fragrance source is transparent or translucent.
 4. A liquid fragrance unit for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a container, at least a portion of which is transparent or translucent, the container having a bottom side; a liquid fragrance source disposed within the container; and a microporous membrane barrier located on the bottom side of the container, wherein the transparent or translucent portion of the container allows a user to visually determine an amount of liquid remaining in the container.
 5. The liquid fragrance unit of claim 4, wherein the liquid fragrance source comprises a scent concentration manipulated so that the scent expires approximately simultaneously after a time interval for which a filter bag is replaced for the vacuum cleaner.
 6. The liquid fragrance unit of claim 4, further comprising: an outer case holding the container; and the outer case further includes perforations on at least one of a top side and a bottom side to allow a scent from the liquid fragrance source to exit the liquid fragrance source.
 7. The liquid fragrance unit of claim 6, wherein the outer case is openable.
 8. The liquid fragrance unit of claim 4, further comprising a removable aluminum sheet covering the membrane barrier prior to installation of the liquid fragrance source inside the vacuum cleaner.
 9. The liquid fragrance unit of claim 4, wherein the liquid fragrance source is replaceable.
 10. The liquid fragrance unit of claim 7, wherein the liquid fragrance source is replaceable. 